Discovery Home & Health

Morning everyone -

I am at work and i have a really bad headache - i think i am coming down with the flu or something - but i am finding it difficult dealing with the pain - i am approx 7 weeks pregnant - is it ok to take paracetamol or Ibuprofen for headaches????

I was told to try to avoid any tablets when having ds. I'm sure you can have them if you need them, but I'd suggest getting some '4head'. You can get it from boots, superdrug, asda, tesco, etc. It's a stick bit like a solid lipbalm and you rub it over your forehead (it doesn't interfere with makeup )and within 2-3 minutes your head goes ice cold.It is amazing stuff, headaches just vanish. I still use mine now rather than tablets.

Kate
xxxx

Thanks Kate-I

Luckily we have a boots across the road from our offices - so might pop over in my lunch break - see if i can bear the pain until then - otherwise may take half a paracetamol...
I just hope im not coming down with the flu or anything as i have a scratchy throat too....

SSSB
xxx

oh and i see your TTC a sept baby...
I wish you loads of luck.. and then when you get your BFP ...fingers crossed - we can start a 'Babies due in Sept 2008' post!!!

Hi there,
Just a quickie to say you mustn't take ibuprofen when pregnant, but paracetamol is ok if you really need something.
xxx

Thanks Summer1971 -
i will only take a paracetamol if i cant get this '4HEAD' stuff...

xxx

Hope you feel better soon, not long until lunchtime now

Yes, af due tomorrow/today which would give me a edd of 26/27 september, not hopeful really, but hoping and praying like a madwoman!

Kate
xxxx

Don't take Ibruprofen!!!!!!!

You can take paracetamol no problem though as Summer said. In fact you come to rely on it for every ailment, as that is all you can take!!

Thanks for the responses guys.. I am new to this... my first pregnancy..!!
Its really nice to have loads of helpful hints from everyone..
I promise i wont take any ibuprofen at all
Kate-I - good luck and be positive.. im hoping and praying for you too....

Shaz xx

I thought you could only take paracetamol under docs orders? I couldn't even have a lemsip when I was 30 weeks preg with ds because of the paracetamol in it.

Kate
xxxx

Hi Ladies

If you go to nhs-direct and type in pregnacy and then scroll down onto medicines it will tell you what you can take, paracetamol is fine and I think it says (though don't quote me) that ibuprofen may be taken under guidance until you are 6 months, but obviously always check first with doc or midwife

Heidi

Funny you mention that Heidi-hi - i was on the website earlier - but i just wanted to confirm as i still wasnt sure...

Hiya

Just wanted to poke my nose in...

Paracetamol is fine to take, but only as a last resort because they try to steer you clear of any drugs in pregnancy.

You can't take lemsip or any other cold remedies during pregnancy because they put other stuff in them as well as paracetamol (to unblock nose, relax muscles) this is what's dangerous for baby.

You can't even have sudafed nasal spray which is a lifeline when I have colds!

Ibruprofen is a no no particularly in the third trimester of your pregnancy, after about 32 weeks. The reason for this is that as your due date nears, drugs like ibuprofen (NSAIDs) may cause premature closure of a major blood vessel near the baby's heart called the ductus arteriosus. If this happens before your baby is born (and breathing air), it could cause major problems for bubs.

A lot of doctors would probably advise against taking ibuprofen early in pregnancy (during the first 8 weeks or so), simply because they know that that that is when your baby's organs are being formed and ibuprofen has never been scientifically proven to be safe at that time.

Between these times they're really not too sure so best steer clear of it altogether unless you're prescribed it!

Hope you feel better SSSB and hope this helps!

Thanks so much for the advice EmmaLou, I was wondering then - if i do get worse and have cold-flu like symptoms.. what would be best for me to take??

I went to find some of that '4Head' but unfortunatley - my luck.. they didnt have any... so my head ache is still here.. but i finish work in 1 hour and a half - soo il grin and bear it - I have had a couple of strepsils because of my scratchy throat... im guessing.. and hoping they are ok as there is no warning or anything on the packet - ?!?

I feel so silly asking all these questions sometimes..

I think things like soothers, tunes etc are ok! It's a bit of a nightmare as you have to read the labels or instructions on everything from now on

When I was sick my DP used to crush 2 paracetamol in hot water, honey and lemon. That's the closest I could get to a cold remedy!